Seed treating machine



g- 1950 B. FQGUSTAFSON ,5 ,6 9

.SEED TREATING MACHINE Filed Jply 20, 1945 8 Sheets-Shet l ,B.EauaZa//50n 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 20, 1945 1: \N H E ,IVHI m JKQ\ n at .0 b h? b An n w [I m a u vo w f W Aug. 22, 1950 B. F. GUSTAFSON SEED TREATING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 Fil ed July 20, 1945 Liz Aug. 22, 1950 Y B. F. GUSTAFSON 2,519,649

SEED TREATING MACHINE .Filed July 20, 1945 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 w-a; j) o T awe/whoa BEGuaZa/san Aug. 22, 1950 B. F. GUSTAFSON snap TREATING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July. .20, 1945 B. F. GUSTAFSON SEED TREATING MACHINE Aug. 22, 1950 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed July 20, 1945 f6 zfi w/W m W 6 5 M i L v a J ,g z u e My y \U w 7 W M H M 0% i. 5 5 H mm n H 6 9 Z NM 5 w l 8 M a I m a Aug. 22, 1950 B. F. GUSTAFSON SEED TREATING MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed July 20, 1945 i; m/yw W B. F. GUSTAFSQNY SEED TREATING MACHINE Aug. 22, 1950 Filed July 20, 1945 7? J5. awe/m 65 BfiGasia/son WWW Patented Aug. 22, 1950 UNITED STATES TENT OFFlCE 12 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in seed treating machines.

An object of this invention is to provide a machine wherein seed for planting may be dusted with an insecticide so as to destroy any adhering germs or the like and to provide for more efficient germination of the seeds.

Another object of this invention is to provide a machine of this kind which can be readily adjusted for use in treating various kinds of seeds.

A further object of this invention is to provide a machine of this kind having selective discharge means for the seed, and the insecticide so that regulated amounts of insecticide may be dis charged into the mixing chamber in accordance with the quantity and character of the seed to be treated.

A further object of this invention is to provide a machine of this kind which includes an adjustable discharge means for regulating the quantity of seed being discharged into the discharge neck thereof.

A further object of this invention is to provide in combination with a seed dusting means, a suction means connected with the discharge end of the machine for withdrawing any free insecticide.

With the foregoing objects in view, and others which may hereinafter more fully appear, I have invented the device shown in the accompanying drawings, which consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts, as will be more specifically described, and illustrated in th drawings wherein are shown embodiments of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications may be resorted to which fall within the scope of the invention, as claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a detail side elevation, partly broken away, and in section, of a seed treating machine constructed according to an embodiment of this invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the machine.

Figure 3 is a detail front elevation of the machine.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary rear elevation of the machine.

Figure 5 is a longitudinal section taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 2.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 1-1 of Figure 2.

Figure 8 is a sectional View, partly broken away and in detail, taken on the line 83 of Figure 2.

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-9 of Figure 5.

Figure 10 vis a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line l0-l0 of Figure 5.

Figure 11 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View of one of the insecticide feeder blades.

Figure 12 is a fragmentary plan view of one of theseed regulating blades.

Figure 13 is a fragmentary sectional view of the other one of the pair of feeder blades.

Figure 14 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line I l-44 of Figure 5.

Figure 15 is a fragmentary longitudinal section of the conveyor trough sections.

Referring to the drawings the numeral 29 designates generally a base structure which includes a table 2!, supported by means of plurality of upright legs 22. A hopper, generally designated as 23, is disposed above the table 2|, being supported thereabove by means of upright supporting bars 24. The hopper 23 isformed of downwardly convergent side walls 25 and 26 and vertically disposed end walls '2'! and 28. A conveyor shaft 29 is journalled in bearings 30 and 3| carried by the end walls 2i and 28 and has mounted thereon aplurality of impeller blades 32.

The impeller blades or members 32 comprise oppositely disposed blade members 33 carried by a hollow hub 34 which is formed with alternate key and keyway members 35 and 36 so that the impeller members 32 will be interlocked relative to each other, and the end impeller members are secured to the shaft 29 bymeans of cotter pins 31 or the like.

The impellers or conveyor members 32 are pitched so as to move the seeds to the rear of the hopper 23 so that the quantity of seeds which are discharged into a conveyor housing or trough 38 may be regulated to the desired degree.

In order to provide for regulating the quantity of seed discharged from the hopper 23 into the conveyor trough 38, I have provided a valve structure which includes upper and lower valve plates 39 and All. The valve plates 39 and 4!! are slidable in guide members 4| and 42 carried by the end walls 21 and 28 respectively. The guide members Al and 42 comprise a pair of opposed L-shaped or angle members which are secured to the end walls so as to provide a guide channel therebetween.

The upper valve plate 39, a fragment of which is shown in Figure 12, is provided with a cutout 43 in the rear lower corner thereof whereas the valve plate 4.0 is of rectangular configuration, and

is adjustable, as will be hereinafter described relative to the valve plate 39 so as to provide for enlarging or diminishing the discharge opening formed by the cutout 53 when the upper plate 39 is in its maximum cutofi position.

The valve plate 39 has secured thereto a nut member 44 which includes a base 45, having a screw 46 secured thereto and with which a wing nut 41 is engaged. The plate 39 is provided with an elongated slot 48 through which the screw 45 loosely engages and the plate 40 is also formed with an elongated slot 49 through which the screw 46 engages.

The outer edge of the valve plate 39 is provided with an upturned edge portion 50 and the valve plate 40 is provided with a down-turned outer edge portion I disposed oppositely from the upturned edge portion 50. These bent edge portions of the valve plates 39 and 40 provide a means whereby these plates may be adjusted onerelative to each other. The ivalveadiusting shaft 52 is rotatably carried by a bracket 53v secured by fasteningmembers 54 to .theiside wa1ll2'5 of thehopper, and the-shaft .52.is formed with a crank 55 by means of which the crank may be turned.

A pair of lock nuts 55 are threaded onthe shaft 52, and are adapted to bear against the bracket 53 so as to lock the shaft 52 ina valve-adjusted position. Rotation of the.-shaft 52 with the wing nut 41 tightened will adjust both valve plates 39 and 40 as alunit. .Thespacebetween the lower ends of the valve platesL39 .and 49 and the lower end of the side wallconstitutes adischarge openingl51 through which the seeds are adapted to drop into the conveyor .troug'h.38.

The conveyor troughJiB isof U-shapeintransverse section, and -is provided at. its upper edges with outturned flanges 5B engagingin returned keepers 59 formed at .the .lower endsof the side walls and. 26.

In order to provide for reducingthe area of'the hopperv23, I have :providedla removable wall or partition 60 which isradapted tolbe vertically disposed between theend wallsizlandlflland is pro vided at its upper end with aright angular extension BI terminatinginanouter flange 621cmgaging over the upper .edge of the side ,wall.2 6. The .lower portion ofthe inner wall 60is formed witha long curve 53 so.as to provide sufficient clearance for the impeller members .32 and so as not to unduly restrict the flow of the seeds whichare forced downwardly through the discharge opening 51..

Theconveyor trough or housing .38-has rotatably mounted therein a conveyor structure 64 which includesa conveyor shaft .55 on which are mounted conveyor-blades 56. similar to the blades 33.

The conveyor 64 has blades vof a construction similar to the blades -.33 with the exception that the blades :66 are oppositely pitched so that the seeds dropping into the-trough 38 will be moved to the-left whereas the conveyorinembersvorimpellers-33 move the seeds to the right.

The hopper24 includes an insecticide hopper '61 which is .formed-by an inner wallwfifi disposed on the inside of an outer end wall 69 and also includes downwardly convergent side walls I0 which terminate at their lower endsin an armate wall II. In practice :the lower portion of the oppositesidewalls 10..ar.e formed witho substantially V -shaped bottom=structure I2, which is formed of metal shavings. higher temper than the temperof theremaining or upperportions of the side walls. The arcuate bottom wall I! is formed with a plurality of elongated discharge openings I3 through which the insecticide is adapted to be discharged.

In order to provide a means whereby the quantity of insecticide may be regulated I have provided an elongated transversely arcuate closure I4 which slidably engages the lower side of the bottom wall II and is slidable through an opening formed in the inner wall .68 and through an opening I6 formed in the outer end wall 69. The closure member M has a nut 'I'I secured thereto the nut being secured to an upstanding plate I8 which is braced by means of a pair of bracing members I9 secured to the valve member I4.

A threaded shaft is threaded through the nut TI, and is rotatably carried by a bearing 8| which is carried by an L-shaped bracket 82 secured'by fastening members 83 to the end wall 69. A hand wheel 84 is secured to the outer end of the shaft 00, and one side of the'plate I3 is movable over a scale 05 carried by the upper side of the bracket 82 *so'tha'tthe position ofcthe valve plate or closure with respect'to the openings I3 may be accurately gaged.

An insecticide feeding wheel, generally designated as 86, is secured to the shaft 2 within the insecticide hopper 61 and includes a pair of elongatedbars 01 which are carried by arms 88 formed integral with a hub-89. Thelfeeding bars 91, as shown in Figure 11, are .forrne'dwith a beveled outer surface BI), :and :with a rounded leading edgeBI. In this manner the bars :81 will force the insecticidedownwardlyzfor discharge through the uncoveredslots 2'13.

The end wall .69 is formed with a bearing '92 through which the shaft 29 engagesrand'a pulley 93 is mounted :onthe .extended end of 'theishaft =29. A pulley194 is :mounted on the rear end of the shaft 29 and has a'belt 95 trained thereabout which is valso trainedabout 'a:pul1ey 96 mounted on the rear end of the conveyorshaft'65. A driving pulley 91, of relatively large diameter, is mounted on the rear end oflthe conveyor shaft '65 and has trained thereabout a driving belt '98 which engages about a pulley 99 carried by a motor shaft I09 operated by a motor "H.

In order to'providea'means wherebylthe feeding-wheel as may be adiustedzrelative to the-concave innerside of .the'bottom-wall "II, the bearing 92 and 'a second inner :bearing I02 are vertically adjustable being formed with vertically elongated slots "i133 .as shown :inFigure 9.

The insecticide which is disposed within the hopper ii'i is adapted to be :agitatedso asto prevent any bridging of'the insecticide in the lower portion of the hopper 51 by means of agitating member I94.

The agitating member I04 includes a pair of inner horizontal bars 505 carried by a hub I05 and an outer pair of "horizontalarms I07 connected together by a connecting bar I08 so as to form a substantially Z-shape, as shown in Figure 5. The agitator 94 is mounted on a shaft I09 journalled through the-wall '28, and the walls 68 and 69. A pulley H0 is mounted on the forward end of the shaft I08, and has a belt III trained thereabout which is also trained about the pulley 93. The pulley'I I9iis larger in diameter than the pulley 93 so that the agitator I04 will rotate at a relatively slow speed. The conveyor 64 extends forwardly from'the hoppers 23 and 61, extending through anlendwise adjustable trough H2. The trough 'I I2 is adapted to .partially telescope the'forward end of the trough or housing 38, and the forward end of the slidable trough H2 is adjustable relative to the forward wall H3 of a discharge housing H4. The space I I5 below the hopper 61 and within the conveyor housing or trough 38, constitutes a mixin chamber wherein the insecticide is mixed with the seed in order that the insecticide may readily adhere to the seed. v

Preferably an inner trough lining H6 is disposed inwardly of the housing 38, and overlies the inner end of th adjustable trough or lining member I I2, so that the treated seed may readily move forwardly within the trough structure. The trough 38 extends forwardly of the table or base 26, and has secured to the forward end thereof the discharge housing I I 4.

The discharge housing II4 includes vertically disposed Walls I I3 and H1, the latter being the rear wall and also includes upper parallel walls I I8 and downwardly divergent side walls I I9. An inverted U-shaped Wall I divides the housing H4 into a pair of discharge members I2I and I22. as shown in Figure 8.

The adjustable lining or trough I I2 has extending laterally therefrom, a pair of pins I23, which are slidable in elongated slots I24 formed in the outer trough member 38. Th pins or bolts I23 are secured to the inner lining I I2, and knobs I25 are secured to the outer ends of the pins or bolts I 23 so that the adjustable lining or trough I I 2 can be endwise adjusted in order to regulate the discharge opening I26 between the forward end of the trough H2, and the forward wall II3.

A substantially U-shaped box I21 is carried by the pins I23 and extends below the trough 38 being movable with the lining or trough H2. The trough H2 is provided with a plurality of openings I28 which are adapted to communicate with the box or collector I21 so that any excess insecticide may be discharged into the collector or box I21 before the seeds enter the discharge opening I26.

A removable plate or valve I29 is slidably carried by guide members I36 secured to the lower side of the trough 38 and the latter is formed with an elongated opening I3! below the openings I28 so that when desired the opening I3I may be closed in order to retain the insecticide within the lining or trough I I 2. The elongated opening I3I is relatively large so that it forms a cleanout opening for cleaning out any excess insecticide which may be disposed in the lining or trough I I2.

The lining I I6 is also formed with an elongated opening I32 registering with an opening I33 in the trough 38, and a removable plate or valve I34 carried by guides I 35 is adapted to normally close the openings I32 and I33. The openings I32 and I33 are provided in order that the seed remaining in the trough 33 and the lining H6 may be quickly discharged and the interior of the trough and lining cleaned.

The trough 38 is braced by means of bracing members I36 and I31 secured, as shown in Figure 6, by fastening members I33 to the table top 2I. The trough 38, forwardly of the hoppers 23 and 61, has a top wall I39 mounted thereon which is formed with an opening I43. A plate I4I engaging transversely extending guides I42 is adapted to normally close the opening I which is a sight opening and the plate I4I has secured thereto an elongated transparent panel I43 held in position on the upper side of the plate MI by clamping members I44.

One end of the plat MI is formed with a downturned handle I45 so that the plate I4l may be bodily moved to expose the larger opening I40 for cleaning the interior of the lining II2.

Inorder to provide for discharge of the treated seed through a selected spout or discharge member, I have provided a damper or valve I46 which is secured to a valve shaft I41. The shaft I41 extends through the forward wall H3, and has a crank handle I48 mounted thereon including a weight I49 so that the valve member I46 will be held in adjusted position.

The valve member I46 is adapted to engage a seat I50 when adjusted to the left for closing the upper end of the discharge member I2I, and is adapted to engage a seat I 5| at the upper end of the discharge member I22 for closing the latter.

In order to provide for removal of any free or flying insecticide I have provided a suction fan I52. The suction fan I52 is connected to the motor shaft I28, and has a pipe I53 connected to the suction or intake side thereof. The pipe I53 is connected to the bight I54 of an inverted U- shaped pipe I56 which has the lower ends of the free legs thereof connected to the divergent walls H9. The nipple I51 is connected to the bight I54 and is also connected tothe top wall I58 of the discharge member I I4. A damper I59 is disposed in the nipple I 51 and is adapted to provide a means whereby suction may be cut off from the upper end of the discharge housing H4.

The fan or suction member I52 is formed with a discharge nipple I66 which may be connected to a collecting bag or the like for collecting insecticide which is drawn from the discharge housing. Preferably the base structure 26 is adapted to be mounted on an elevated support, as indicated by the numeral IfiI and a pair of bags I62 and I63 are adapted to be suspended below the discharge members I2! and I22, being engaged with hooks I64 and I65 carried by the outer sides of the discharge members I2i and I22.

The conveyor blades are adapted to be removed from the shaft 65 or the latter with the blades mounted thereon may be removed as a unit through an opening I53 which is formed in the end wa l H3 and normally closed by a closure plate I31 secured by fastening members I58.

In order to provide a means whereby the movement of the seed lengthwise of the trough 38 may be retarded, I have provided a pair of vertically adjustable gates or valve members I69 and I16. These gates or valve members are disposed on the inner side of the hopper wall 28 being formed with elongated slots HI and I12 respectively through which clamping members I13 and I14 respectively engage.

The valve members or gates I69 and I10 are disposed on opposite sides of the shaft 29, and extend downwardly on the outer side of the guide 42, and are adapted to project downwardly at their lower ends into the interior of the trough 38 between a pair of the blades 66. The upper ends of the valve members or gates are formed with right angular handles I15 and I16 respectively by means of which these valve members may be vertically adjusted as may be desired.

In the use and operation of this device the seed, which is treated, is disposed in the seed hopper 23, and the insecticide is disposed in the hopper 61. The valve plates 38 and 40 are adjusted relative to each other and to the side wall 26 so that the desired amount of seed will be discharged upon rotation of the impellers 32 into the conveyor trough 33. The impellers 32 will move the seed rearwardly and with certain kinds of seed the lower edges of the valve mem- 1 ber 39: be in closed: position, whereas the valve member 40 may be'adjusted relative to the va-lvemember 39 so as. to provide for the desired size: of opening formed by the cutout 43.

The seed will be discharged at the rear end of the conveyor housing 38' and will thereupon be movediorwardlythrough the conveyor housing and, when untreated seed enters the mixing chamber H5, below the insecticide hopper, the insecticide which is discharged by the discharge member 85 will. adhere to the outer surface of the seed. The treated seed is then moved forwardly being agitated as it is moved forwardly so that any loose insecticide will engage with the seed and provide for the desired coating thereof.

The inner lining H2 may be endwise adjusted to provide for the desired rate of discharge of the treated seed into the discharge housing H4. The transparent panel M3 provides a means whereby the seedmay be viewed from above as it is moving lengthwise of the conveyor trough H2 so that the seed will not pack up in the conveyor trough 5E2 due to the smallness of the discharge opening I26.

During the initial operation of the device and in. order to check'thequantity of insecticide which is being discharged into the mixing chamber I I5, I have provided an opening IT! in one sidewall or the hopper 6'5- w-hich is positioned below the valve M. The opening ITI, during the normal operation of the machine, is adapted to be closed by a valve plate H8 which is slidably carried by guides [13 fixed to the outer side of the hopper 6-1.

I claim:

1. A seed treating machine comprising a base, a seed hopper carried by said base, an insecticide hopper carried by said base, a conveyor housing below said hoppers, a conveyor in said housing, said hoppers communicating at the lower ends thereof with said housing, adjustable valve means controlling the discharge of seed from said seed hopper, adjustable valve means controlling the discharge of insecticide from said insecticide hop-per, means for rotating said conveyor and means carried by one of said hoppers extendihle into said conveyor housing for retarding the movement of the seed engaged by said conveyor.

2. A seed treating machine as set forth in claim 1 including combined agitating and feeding members in said hoppers.

3. A seed treating machine as set forth in claim 1 including means regulating the discharge of treated seed from said housing.

4. A seed treating machine comprising a base, a seed hopper carried by'said-base, an insecticide hopper carried by said base, a conveyor housing below hoppers, a conveyor in said housing, hoppers communicating at the lower ends thereof with said housing, adjustable valve means controlling the discharge of seed from said seed hopper, adjustable valve means controlling the discharge of insecticide from said insecticide hopper, means for rotating said conveyor, adjustable means carried by one of said hoppers extendible into. said conveyor housing for retarding movement of said seed without reduction in rotation of said conveyor, a discharge housing carried by said conveyor housing, a combined conveyor and agitator in said seed hopper, and means forcibly discharging insecticide from said insecticide hopper.

5. A seed treating machine comprising abase,

8. a seed hopper carried by said base, an insecticide! hopper carried by said base, a conveyor housing: below said hoppers, a conveyor in saidhousing, said hoppers communicating at the lower ends thereof with said housing, adjustable valve means controlling the discharge of seed from said seed hopper, adjustable valve means controlling the discharge of insecticide from said-insecticide hopper, means for rotating said conveyor, and-a pair of vertically adjustable valve members carried by said seed hopper and extendible into said conveyor housing for retarding the movement of theseed'. by said conveyor.

6.. A seed treating machine, asset forth in claim 1,, including a removable wall 'engageable' in said seed hopper whereby to reduce the area.

of the latter, and means supporting said. removable wall.

7. A seed treating machine, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the lower portion of said insecticide hopper is formed of relatively hard metal.

8. A seed treating machine comprising a base, a seed hopper carried by said base, aninsecticide hopper carried by said base, a conveyor housing below said hoppers, a, conveyor in said. housing, a discharge housing at one end of said conveyor housing, said hoppers communicating at the lowor ends thereof with said housing, adjustable valve means controlling the discharge of seed from said seed hopper, adjustable valve means controlling the discharge of insecticide from said insecticide hopper, and means for rotating said conveyor, and suction means connected with saiddischarge housing whereby to withdraw free insecticide.

9. A seed treating machine as set forthin claim 1 wherein said first named valve means includes a pair of plates disposed in face abutting, relation, one of said plates having a cutout therein, means-locking said. plates'in adjusted positionrelative to each other, and means adjusting said plates as a unit.

10. In a seed treating machine a seed hopper, a conveyor correlated with said hopper and valvemeansfor regulating the seed discharge from the hopper into the conveyor, said valve means carried by the bottom of said hopper including a pair of valve plates, one of said valve plates having a cutout therein, a clamping bolt for adjustably locking said valve plates relative to each other, an adjusting nut carried by said bolt and a valve plate adjusting screw threaded into said nut and rotatably carried by said hopper for adjusting saidvalve platesas a unit.

11.. A seed treating machine comprising a base, a. seed hopper carried by said base, an insecticide hopper carried by said base, a conveyor housing below said hoppers, a conveyor in said housing, a discharge housing at one end of said conveyor housing, said hoppers communicating at the lower ends thereof with said housing, adjustable valve means controlling the discharge of seed from said seed hopper, adjustable valve means controlling the discharge-of insecticide from said insecticide hopper, said insecticide hopper'having a window opening below saidsecond valve means; a closure plate slidably carried: by said insecticide hopper for normally closing said opening, and means for rotating said conveyor, and suction means connected with said discharge housing whereby to Withdraw free insecticide.

12. A seed treating machine comprising a base, a seed hopper carried by said base, an insecticide hopper carried by said base, a conveyor housing below said hoppers, a conveyor in said housing,

REFERENCE S CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

Number Number 10 UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Bostrom June 29, 1858 Winchell Dec. 3, 1889 Sparks July 16, 1912 Thatcher June 5, 1923 Gollbach Mar. 29, 1927 Forster Apr. 29, 1930 Miller Feb. 18, 1936 Williams Oct. 17, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date France Nov. 3, 1933 

